Wireless Remote Temperature Sensing for Mini-Split HVAC Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mini-split HVAC systems often fail to accurately control temperature experienced by users, especially when mounted high in a room, as the temperature sensed by the system's internal sensor does not reflect the user's perceived comfort level due to positional differences.
Innovation Solution
A wireless remote controller with its own temperature sensor that communicates with the HVAC unit using IR signals to adjust the temperature setpoint, ensuring user comfort by compensating for the difference between sensed and experienced temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the mini-split HVAC system is mounted high in the room toward the ceiling, then the system can be installed with limited ductwork and simplified airflow management, but the temperature sensed by the internal sensor does not accurately represent the user's experienced temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless remote controller as an intermediary device that contains its own temperature sensor positioned at user level. This intermediary measures the temperature where users actually experience it, rather than relying on the HVAC unit's internal sensor mounted high on the wall. The remote controller transmits this accurate temperature data to the HVAC system via wireless communication, enabling precise temperature control that reflects user comfort levels.
2Device complexity
If the HVAC controller uses the temperature sensor housed in the HVAC system, then the system structure remains simple and compact, but the sensed temperature does not reflect the user's perceived comfort level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature sensing function from the HVAC control unit by placing a separate temperature sensor in the wireless remote controller. This allows the HVAC system to maintain its simple structure while the remote controller independently performs temperature measurement at user level. The segmented architecture enables the sensor to be positioned where it can accurately measure user-experienced temperature without complicating the HVAC system's internal structure.
3Ease of operation
If a wireless remote control device is provided to allow remote adjustment of HVAC parameters, then user accessibility to controls is improved, but the temperature sensing accuracy remains compromised when the unit is mounted high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature sensing function with the wireless remote controller, combining two previously separate functions (remote control and temperature measurement) into a single integrated device. This merging allows the remote controller to not only adjust HVAC parameters wirelessly but also to accurately measure user-experienced temperature at user level, thereby simultaneously improving both control accessibility and temperature sensing accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively adjusts the HVAC unit's operation to match the user's desired temperature, improving comfort by accurately controlling the temperature based on user-experienced conditions rather than just the sensed conditions.
Implementation Method 1
communicates with the HVAC unit using IR signals
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless controller to set a programmable setpoint of a remote HVAC unit that thermostatically controls a temperature in a space using the temperature sensed and a programmable setpoint. The wireless controller may include a transmitter, a memory, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The wireless controller may transmit commands to set the programmable setpoint of the remote HVAC unit, wait until the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor of the wireless controller stabilizes, determine a difference between the desired setpoint temperature and the stabilized temperature, and if the offset temperature is greater than or equal to a threshold offset, determine an updated control setpoint temperature and transmit commands to set the programmable setpoint of the remote HVAC unit to an updated control setpoint temperature.